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Re: Can I use Javascript to "make accessible" a third party app that isn't

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Jan 21, 2009 8:20AM

On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 7:22 AM, Goldsmith, Marissa
< <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> We don't have
> any way to change how the form code is built, and the maker of the
> application will not make any changes.

Time to change applications?

> Instead, we think we can use Javascript to add labels into the DOM of
> the page as soon as it has loaded.

Yes, this will work. As Paul noted, it will only work if the end user
has javascript enabled, but the screen reader will pick up the DOM
changes. It may a bit difficult to determine what the exact label is,
unless it is already in a distinct DOM node. Assigning the title
attribute of the input will also work for screen reader users, but
you'll lose the ability to click on the label to set focus to the form
element.

> I realize that it's not the most elegant solution, and that it will not
> likely "pass" a 508 check

There's nothing in Section 508 that requires the document work without
javascript. As long as what you are doing with the scripting is
accessible (and in this case it is), then it is not a Section 508
compliance issue. But you're right, it's not very elegant.

Jared Smith
WebAIM